Something to Live for: Finding Your Way in the Second Half of Life

by Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro

Book Overview

Using a compilation of stories, two authors reflect on how to find meaning and purpose in the second half of your life.

Drawing on ancient and contemporary wisdom, as well as modern research, Richard Leider and David Shapiro provide insightful ways of thinking and being that help us find meaning and purpose in the second half of life. This deeply reflective book uses a safari, (referencing a trip the authors took to Africa in 2006) as a metaphor to show how the second half of life can be a journey of discovery. In what may be their most personal book to date, Leider and Shapiro share dozens of moving stories, from both their own experiences and those of their safari companions, that offer sometimes surprising examples of lives well-lived, lives that exemplify the qualities of authenticity and wholeheartedness that they believe are essential to finding meaning and purpose in the second half of life. There are many pathways to putting our whole selves into life, especially during the second half, and in Something to Live For, Leider and Shapiro explore many routes to vital aging.

"If you want to be inspired, just read this book full of personal, practical, and surprising stories about what matters, what works--and what's next." --Walter F. Mondale, former Vice President, Senator and Ambassador

"I cannot think of a more important subject, or a more important book, than this one. In a world where so many feel set adrift on choppy seas, we need Something to Live For more than ever." --Richard Bolles, author of What Color Is Your Parachute?

"Until now, we've lacked authoritative maps for the second half of life. This book provides such a map, and it's a wonderful guide for everyone to read." --Harry R. Moody, Director of Academic Affairs, AARP

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576754561
• ISBN13: 9781576754566
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Saving and Savoring the world-what a concept!

Most of us have bookshelves weighed down with all kinds of personal development and self help books-I do! Most of the ones for midlife tend to be around health and wealth issues....will we have enough of both? Often the answers are scarcity driven, not giving us much hope for a positive aging experience. This is the very best one I've read that gives us the GPS or road map to midlife and beyond. What a great job Richard and David have done to provide the readers with practical principles AND lots of inspiring stories of others who are living the good life in their second half of life. Millions of us are embarking on this journey -much of it unknown territory. Until now. Richard and David show us the way to find and use our unique gifts and talents so this second half of life becomes a rich and satisfying time of our lives. Imagine living this time of your life, savoring and saving the world: living an authentic life of purpose and meaning, while creating a life of vitality and joy! If you are interested in creating this vision for yourself in the second half of your life then you must read this book. I have NEVER underlined and marked a book up this much before. I found that much wisdom woven through each page. Let's start the conversation of redefining "positive aging" in the second half of our lives. Elizabeth Harrington, [...]

A must read for anyone looking to both save and savor the world!

Richard and David have created their most thought-provoking and encouraging work to date. If you are searching for HOW you want to live for the next 30-50 productive, fun, and/or fulfilling years of your life, you should definitively pick up this book!!! This book is an easy read with great stories with which any of us can identify. It truly gives unique perspectives which are very helpful to help each of us explore our own vocation and purpose for each of our unique lives.